- Date Of Birth: January 1, 1936
- Date Of Death: August 9, 2022
- State: Florida
Cleavy Eugene (Gene) Waters passed away at home in Rockledge, Florida on August 9, 2022. Born January 1, 1936, in Savannah, Georgia to Oscar Horace and Helen Edith (Mikell) Waters. Gene is preceded by his beloved wife of 60 years, Avis (Robertson) Waters. Gene is survived by their eight married children: Keith and Becky Waters, Marilyn and Paul Thompson, Brian and Bridget Waters, Dan and Rebecca Waters, Amy and Tim Alexander, Janet and Steve (1972-2021) Henderson, Paul and Gladys Waters, and Jill and Brent Woodson. Their family has grown to include thirty-five grandchildren, eight of whom are married, and eleven great-grandchildren (two more expected in November).
Gene loved sports, music, reading and loved being outside as a youth. He grew up in Savannah enjoying his days with his siblings and many friends roaming the streets of the city, finding all kinds of work and fun. As a child, he sold peanuts to workers as they would file out of the shipyard at the end of the day and to fans at the baseball games. He sold kindling wood cut from a large tree in the edge of the woods. He spent many days fishing, crabbing, swimming in the river and playing sports. He was a fast runner and a kicker on the football team in high school.
Gene had an exceptional mind that all can attest to. He was able to recall memories and information at any time, yet able to communicate well with all walks of life from small children to the most educated individuals. He left high school early and joined the Navy where he obtained his GED because he was bored in school. From the age of 17, he spent all four years in the Navy at Jacksonville NAS where he was an airplane electrician, valued for his skills. Though it was wartime, his chief put aside any transfer order because he was needed there where many of the planes with more problematic repairs were sent to be completed. So, he never went to sea. He loved his time there, has many stories and learned much.
Gene also has a strong spiritual strength.
Gene adored his wife, children, grandchildren, their spouses, great-grandchildren, his parents, grandparents, forebearers, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones throughout his life. He loved everyone and was kind and generous.
He would often attest that the best thing that happened to him in his life was convincing Avis to marry him. He would often say that “she broke a lot of hearts” by agreeing to marry him.
